New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma is undergoing knee surgery Thursday, according to ESPN. The report says Vilma will likely be sidelined for the remainder of the preseason and will try to make it back for the start of the regular season Sept. 8 against Atlanta.

The surgery is being performed to relive swelling and discomfort in the knee, the report says.

Vilma, 31, has sporadically participated in practice since Aug 5., and did not participate in Friday's preseason game. He fully participated in practice Tuesday, but wasn't there Wednesday.

Saints coach Sean Payton did not disclose why Vilma missed practice.

Vilma's history of knee problems has been well documented, dating back to his last season with the New York Jets in 2007. He was put on injured reserve, and later traded to the Saints.

Vilma injured his knee during the 2011 season with the Saints, and had offseason knee surgery last summer. He spent the first six weeks of last season on the physically-unable-to-perform list.